Hello there, my name is Nate Speare (he/him) and I’m an integrative psychotherapist registered with BACP, UKCP and BPS. I have a great deal of experience working with a vast range of clients, presenting with a variety of concerns, problems, and difficulties.

My underlying approach to therapy is both integrative and pluralistic, primarily I draw on, relational psychodynamic, humanistic, existential and 3^rd wave CBT approaches in my work. I aim to provide a compassionate, empathetic, and non-judgemental space to reflect openly on what is going on for you, to perhaps make sense of your experiences, or move in new and different directions. 

My way of working is to be curious, to be explorative and to be in contact with your individual sense of how you see things. 

I am an LGBTQ+ affirmative therapist, and am committed to a culturally sensitive, anti-oppressive and trauma informed practice. 

Integrative and Pluralistic approach:

One of the key reasons I use an integrative way of working is that I see each person as unique. Our ways of being and living in the world are inherently individual and we have all had a distinct set of experiences that may shape and make us who we are. 

I believe there is a deep interconnectedness between our past experiences, our present behaviours, how we see and understand the world, and that these are also underpinned by our relational patterns and how we connect with others.

Although our experiences may be shaped and grouped together by similar views, knowledge, and the cultural and societal influences we have had; each person is different in how these factors combine and shape our understandings and ways of being. 

Some parts of ourselves may be less known to us, and may be hidden or out of our awareness, and part of the work may be bringing these to a more conscious level and exploring what they mean to you.  

Pluralism suggests that there is no singular way of working psychotherapeutically that will work for all people in all situations. Essentially, different people have different ways of seeing the world, and this may vary at different times or points throughout our lives. 

All schools of psychotherapeutic thought have value and can be of benefit, but it is important that I draw on what resonates with you or may be of help for you at this time, rather than applying one model for everyone.

But what does this mean in practice? 

My approach takes your individuality into account and uses a range of modalities relating to psychological distress and emotional well-being, with the aim of tailoring the therapy to your needs and what is important for you. 

Alongside this, our therapeutic relationship itself can be another way in which we understand together what has happened in the past or is continuing to cause difficulties for you.

In combining a range of understandings and modalities this could mean that we may work both on your relational patterns and issues that may have arisen a long time ago with what is happening for you in the here and now. 

Or we may consider how you think and feel and how your behaviours relate to these, or look at what tools you have to manage your present difficulties.

I use humour, metaphor, and creative thinking to help us in our work together, and to foster an authentic relationship where you feel able to bring all parts of yourself without fear of judgement or worries that your difficulties are too much. 

Therapy is often a daunting prospect and building a trusting relationship is paramount to you feeling safe and contained. 

What happens in our first session? 

After you have had an assessment session with one of the team, we will meet and consider together what has brought you to therapy at this time and what you feel you would like to work on or what seems to be troubling you. 

I will talk a bit about me and the way I work, and ensure you know that this is a confidential space for you to be present with your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. 

Therapy can feel scary and unnerving at first, so it is important that you feel heard and understood. We may discuss your previous experiences of therapy, how that was for you and what you felt worked or didn’t work as well for you. 

I can help guide you in our early sessions, to help make you feel more comfortable in a potentially new and strange way of being with another person.   

In choosing to embark on this journey you have made a courageous first step, so I will endeavour to take it at your pace. Remember, there is no right or wrong way to “be” or “do” therapy, our first meeting will be the building of a connection to start this process. 

How long does this process take?

As noted before, my approach to therapy tends to be more explorative and open-ended, but as it will be tailored to you and what you bring, it may be that you have specific goals or a single topic that you want to focus on – therefore I work both long and shorter term. 

Practically, I work both in person at our Southville practice and online on zoom.

Therapy duration is something that varies between clients, but the regularity of the 50-minute weekly session at the same time and day is an important aspect to the work. It provides containment, and a frame or boundary that means you know I will be there for you each week. 

If you choose to end therapy, we will also work together to this, at a time that is right for you.

About me:

I originally qualified as a therapist with BACP in 2013 and have extensive experience of working psychotherapeutically with individuals in a variety of settings, both privately, in the third sector with Mind and Terrence Higgins Trust, in university settings, and in the NHS. 

I have also completed a master’s degree in psychology and am currently in my final year of a practitioner doctorate in Counselling Psychology and Psychotherapy. 

My work in the NHS has been within both mental health and sexual health and I am actively involved in reducing health inequalities for marginalised communities. 

I have specialism within Gender, Sexuality and Relationship Diversity (GSRD), mental health diagnoses/issues including personality difficulties, sexual health and HIV, drug and alcohol issues, and psychosexual issues including compulsive sexual behaviour.

If you would like to seek psychotherapy in Bristol, our team can help. At Bristol Counselling and Psychotherapy, we have a team of experienced therapists who are ready to offer support for a wide range of mental health issues, welcoming individuals into safe and non-judgemental spaces within which to begin their journey to recovery. For more information or to book an initial consultation, please email hello@bristolcounsellingandpsychotherapy.co.uk. Alternatively, to speak to us directly, please contact 07751 271 709.